Master of Arts in Philosophy

Studying philosophy means taking on the challenge of critically analysing answers to fundamental questions from the past and the present. In addition to a thorough historical study, a strong emphasis is placed on critical reflection on contemporary issues. Specialization takes the form of a Master’s dissertation and a wide range of elective course units.

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Master's Programme

1 year 60 credits

Faculty of Arts and Philosophy

Dutch

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Programme summary

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1 General Courses

Subscribe to no less than 25 and no more than 40 credit units from the following list.Subject to approval by the faculty.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Philosophical Issues in the Life Sciences	1	sem 2	en	Gertrudis Van de Vijver	5

History of Science	1	sem 2	nl	Pieter Beck	5

Metaphysics	1	sem 2	nl	Erik Weber	5

Epistemology: Capita Selecta	1	sem 1	nl	Wim Vanrie	5

Logic: Capita Selecta	1	sem 2	nl,en	Joke Meheus	5

Philosophy of Science: Capita Selecta	1	sem 1	nl	Erik Weber	5

Advanced Research Issues in Philosophical Anthropology	1	sem 1	nl	Bouke De Vries	5

Capita Selecta in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy: Analysis of Text	1	sem 1	nl	Danny Praet	5

Capita Selecta in Modern and Contemporary Philosophy: Analysis of Texts	1	sem 1	en	Levi Haeck Gormez	5

Issues in Contemporary Ethical Theory	1	sem 1	nl	Seppe Segers	5

Advanced Study of Issues in Social and Political Philosophy	1	sem 1	nl	Sigrid Sterckx	5

Sexual and Relational Ethics	1	sem 2	en	Tom Claes	5

Bio-ethics	1	sem 1	nl	Sigrid Sterckx	5

Global Ethics	1	sem 1	en	Sigrid Sterckx	5

Non-western Philosophy	1	sem 1	en	Maarten Van Dyck	5

Philosophy of Modern and Contemporary Art	1	sem 1	nl	Bart Vandenabeele	5

2 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no more than 15 credit units from the study programmes of a university of the Flemish Community (including the Ghent University Elective Courses). Subject to approval by the faculty.

The number of credit units the student may or must take depends on the total number of units taken from the module with general courses: invariably (at the least) 0 to (at the most) 15.

3 Master's Dissertation

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation		1	year	nl	Maarten Van Dyck	20

Learning outcomes

Competence field 1: Competences in one/more scientific discipline(s)

To acquire advanced and up-to-date knowledge of at least one subfield of philosophy, and to apply it in a creative way when analyzing philosophical issues.
To understand and adequately use terminology in the field of philosophy.
To know and understand the relation between specific issues within at least one well-studied subfield of philosophy and other fields of philosophy, and to be able to contextualize this historically.
To know and understand the strengths and weaknesses of different schools, styles and research traditions in the field of philosophy.
To apply the principles of relevant scientific disciplines critically and independently when analyzing complex issues.
To have a thorough understanding of the link between specific issues in at least one well-studied subfield of philosophy, and the relevant social, cultural and scientific context.

Competence field 2: Scientific competences

To analyze philosophical arguments and to identify weaknesses.To construct convincing arguments for or against certain philosophical positions.
To make a balanced interpretation of philosophical texts in Dutch, French and English, and to adopt a stance towards them.
To be familiar with the most important international literature in the field, to keep abreast of the latest developments within at least one subfield of philosophy, and to incorporate this into one's own reflections and research.
To develop a research strategy by formulating possible solutions for complex issues on the basis of theoretical models and with methodologically appropriate resources, and to demonstrate acumen in the assessment of their relation to the issue.
To develop the skills to report on the analysis and interpretation of one's own research in a scientifically correct way (in a report, thesis or article).

Competence field 3: Intellectual competences

To incorporate other researchers' conflicting views on theories and issues into one's own analysis.
To form a well-considered, balanced opinion on complex issues on the basis of philisophical insights and scientific knowledge, while being aware of existing values.
To reflect independently, systematically and critically on one's own ways of thinking, acting and judging, and on those of others in the field of philosophy.

Competence field 4: Competences in cooperation and communication

To report on the results of one's own philosophical research to experts and lay people, orally and in writing.
To contribute constructively to discussions on philosophical and social issues, the problem definition of which has not yet been delimited clearly.

Competence field 5: Societal competences

To understand the possibilities and restrictions for the field of philosophy when taking up a particular stance within the current social context.
To take into account the social implications of academic philosophical positions and theories when taking up a stance.
To use philosophical skills and techniques outside academia, e.g. in social debates.To use philosophical skills and techniques outside academia, e.g. in social debates.

Competence field 6: Profession-specific competences

To function in various multidisciplinary specialized professional contexts independently.
To conduct philosophical research independently and to settle into a philosphical research group.